MELANIN BASE CAMP

I enjoy how climbing is just as much mental as physical. You rely on body tension and technique, instead of attempting to brutishly muscle my way up the wall. When I can’t figure out a route, I often think about the moves when I’m away from the gym.

After a spinal cord injury in 2019, I was unable to weight my feet while climbing (and barely while standing). With muscle weakness and no feeeling, I couldn’t tell the difference between rock and air. My spinal fusion in 2023 has improved my muscle strength greatly and has somewhat improved my feeling. Nearly every workout I’ve done for the past 2 years has been focused on being able to maintain body tension. I’m finally starting to reap the benefits of all these workouts. I thought I’d share the top four climbing exercises that have helped me avoid cutting feet.

Mario founded the nonprofit Un Mar de Colores to bring global majority kids in San Diego County to the beach and teach them to surf, be safe in the ocean, and be stewards of the environment. This is where the magic happens.

The outdoors can be a dangerous place and fear might initially keep you from trying new things. So here are four reasons why you should do it scared. 

After climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro this year, I started wondering, What’s next? Moving my body makes me happy, but sometimes training feels boring without a goal to work toward. I wanted something that felt just outside my comfort zone.

I also know that hunger disproportionately impacts Black Americans who make up nearly 30% of SNAP recipients. So why would I celebrate cuts to a program that is a lifeline for so many people?

Building a home gym is a monumental task! Once the climbing wall is built, you’d think the biggest hurdle is over. But a safe landing area is just as important, and can be just as overwhelming. There are many options for foam and foam coverings, making it difficult to know which is right for a climbing wall. I spent weeks reading about foam, cold-calling foam companies, and driving around to different fabric stores learning about vinyl coverings. Here is my journey of building a safe landing!

I can either enjoy my life doing what I love, or sit at home worried about getting assaulted or worse. I choose to take common sense precautions, trust my gut, and hope for the best. But that doesn’t mean I’m never afraid. 

The climbing stories you hear at base camp or around a campfire just might save your life. That’s why it matters who gets to tell stories of danger, joy, and survival. Too often the loudest voices don’t look like us. But for Sachi Koide, Sof Petros, and Theresa Silveyra—three accomplished women and genderqueer climbers of color—mountaineering is more than technical knowledge. It’s about community, power and courage.